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ED 465 198 EA 031 677

AUTHOR Lumsden, Linda; Miller, Gabriel TITLE Codes and . INSTI TUT ION National Association of Elementary Principals, Alexandria , VA. SPONS AGENCY Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. PUB DATE 2002-00-00 NOTE 5P * CONTRACT ED-99-CO-0011 AVAILABLE FROM National Association of Elementary School Principals, 1615 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3483 ($2.50 prepaid; quantity discounts). Tel: 800-386-2377 (Toll Free); Fax: 800-396-2377 (Toll Free); Web site: http://www.naesp.org. PUB TYPE Collected Works - Serials (022) -- ERIC Publications (071) JOURNAL CIT Research Roundup; v18 n4 Sum 2002 EDRS PRICE MFOI/PCOI Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Administrator Guides; Court Litigation; *Dress Codes; Educational Environment; Elementary Secondary ; School Policy; *School Uniforms; Behavior

ABSTRACT do not always make choices that adults agree with in their choice of school dress. Dress-code issues are explored in this Research Roundup, and guidance is offered to principals seeking to maintain a positive school climate. In "DO School Uniforms Fit?" Kerry White discusses arguments for and against school uniforms and summarizes the state of research in this area. Deborah Elder evaluates the implementation and effects of a mandatory policy at two middle in IIEvaluation of School Uniform Policy at John Adams and Truman Middle Schools for Albuquerque Public Schools." Todd DeMitchell and colleagues, in "Dress Codes in the Public Schools: Principals, Policies, and Precepts," report on principals' views on dress codes and look at sample policies. In IISchool Uniforms: Can Voluntary Programs Work? Experimenting in an At-Risk School," Richard Dougherty describes the adoption of a voluntary uniform policy at a . Benjamin Dowling-Sendor examines a school-uniform case and discusses legal elements. (RT)

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TO THE EDUCATIONALRESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 4

NATIONA L ASS OC I AT1 0 N OF ELEMENTARY VOLUME 18, NUMBER 4 SCHOOL P R I NC I PALS SUMMER 2002

US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Offlce of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Ahisdocument has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it 0 Minor changes have been made to Bre s s GQ d e a d i f~ s improve reproduction quality POintS of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent Linda Lumsden and Gabriel Miller official OERI position or policy

hen left to decide what Concerns about school safety have Deborah Elder evaluates the clothes to wear to school, also prompted interest in strict dress implementation and effects of a students do not always codes or school uniforms. As the U.S. mandatory uniform policy at two

~ make choices that adults Department of Education’s Mantlal on middle schools in an impoverished agree with. While the majority may at School Uniformsnotes, “Uniforms by community. least minimally conform to adults’ themselves cannot solve all of the Todd DeMitcbell and colleagues ideas about what’s appropriate, a few problems of school discipline, but report on a survey of principals’ may clearly push the limits. Some may they can be one positive contributing views on dress codes and uniforms, arrive at school in T- that factor to discipline and safety.” look at sample policies, and outline bear slogans or images promoting But while administrators have con- legal issues related to regulating stu- drugs and alcohol, or that &splay a cerns about school violence, they also dent dress. variety of messages that conflict with have concerns about potential law- Richard Daugberty describes the values the schools are trying to pro- . Just how much leeway do adoption of a voluntary uniform poli- mote. Others may swagger around the administrators have in regulating what cy at a middle school and the level of halls in gang-related garb. Still others students wear? How far does student compliance over time. may show up in sexually provocative freedom of expression extend? What. Benjamin Dowling-Sendor exam- . These issues, as well as a elements can make a school’s dress- . ines a recent school uniform case and desire to minimize socioeconomic related policies more likely to survive discusses elements that can help tensions between the “haves” and legal challenges and to engender sup- schools survive legal challenges. ,

“have nots,” have spurred some port (or at least acceptance) from stu- I schools to adopt more stringent dress dents and parents? White, Kerry A. ‘‘Do School codes or to require students to wear Although many of these questions uniforms. may never have definitive answers, the Uniforms Fit?” The School works reviewed here explore some of Administrator 57:2 (February 2000): these issues and offer guidance to 36-40. EJ 599 101. Available from: principals whose goal is to maintain a AASA Customer Service, 203-875- Linda Lumsden is associate editor and writer for the ERIC Clearinghouse on school climate that effectively fosters 0748. Educational Management at the University learning, safety, a sense of communi- of Oregon. ty, and respect for self and others. According to White, whde only a Gabriel Miller is a research analyst and Kerry W%ite discusses arguments few public schools were “experiment- writer for the ERIC Clearinghouse on for and against school uniforms and ing with uniforms” a decade ago, cur- Educational Management at the University summarizes the state of research in rently “nearly half of the nation’s big of Oregon. this area. urban school systems have adopted school uniform policies for all or demonstrating benefits. Many oppo- diately labeled by peers and staff no some of their schools.” In a 10-state nents believe that dctating what stu- longer stand out.” survey of elementary and middle dents wear to school violates their The percentage of students who school principals conducted two years constitutional right to freedom of made the honor roll increased at John ago by the National Association of expression. While legal decisions Adams from 31.4 percent to 43.3 per- Elementary School Principals and the regarding uniforms have been mixed, cent. At Truman, however, there was clothing company Lands’ End, 11 some predict that courts wdl be more a negligible decrease in the percentage percent of respondents said that their “friendly” toward uniform policies as of honor-roll students. schools mandate uniforms, and judges become aware of schools’ Survey data showed that 75 percent another 15 percent were considering safety concerns and disciplinary of parents and 89 percent of staff such a policy. Other recent surveys issues. supported uniforms and believed they indicate that support for uniforms is decreased violence, theft, and gang growing among parents as well. In 1 1 activity. Although only 15 percent of one survey, 56 percent of parents said Elder, Deborah L. Evaluation of students supported uniforms, 59 per- they would support a school uniform School Uniform Policy at John cent agreed that “school uniforms policy. Adams and Truman Middle help school officials identify tres- When it comes to the effects of Schools for Albuquerque Public passers on campus.” school uniforms, the research “has Schools. February 1999. 37 Elder notes that both schools been inconclusive or mixed,” says pages. ED 453 580. Available from: implemented other changes in White. Much of the debate between ERIC Document Reproduction instruction and administration at the supporters and opponents is based on Service, 7420 Fullerton Rd., Suite same time the uniform policy went anecdotal reports rather than well- into effect, so is not possible to 4 Springfield, VA designed studies. Some authors con- 10, 221 53-2852. attribute the positive results solely to tend that uniforms lessen emphasis $1 4.50.1-800-443-3742. the uniform policy. Nevertheless, on , reduce the financial bur- “perceptions of parents and staff are den of low-income families, and pro- Although many private schools very powerful influences on a mote peer acceptance, school pride, require their students to wear school school,” she concludes, and “when a and learning. Others aren’t convinced. uniforms, mandatory policies in pub- school community believes a school They compare adopting a uniform lic schools are relatively rare. The to be good, the school improves.” policy to applying a fresh of public schools that have pioneered paint to a crumbling building-it’s such policies provide learning labora- r I very visible but doesn’t address the tories for other schools to study the DeMitchell, Todd A.; Fossey, underlying problems. effects of uniforms. Richard; and Cobb, Casey. “Dress Opposition to uniforms is often Begnning in the fall of 1998- Codes in the Public Schools: based more on civil rights concerns under a policy initiated by parents- Principals, Policies, and than on the lack of solid research students at John Adams and Truman Precepts.” Journal of Law & Mddle Schools in Albuquerque were Education 29:l (January 2000):31- About ERIC required to wear tuck-in polo shts 49. EJ 606 474. Available from: and khalu pants or . Elder Journal of Law & Education, The Educational Resources Information reports on an evaluation of this poli- Center (ERIC) is a national information Jefferson Law Book Company, system operated by the Office of cy that used interviews, focus groups, and surveys, along with data on disci- 2100 Huntingdon Ave., Baltimore, Educational Research and Improvement MD (OERI). The ERIC Clearinghouse on pline referrals and numbers of stu- 21211. Educational Management, one of 16 such dents achieving honor-roll status. units in the system, was established at the During the first semester of the Aware that the voice of the University of Oregon in 1966. 1998-99 school year, both schools nation’s principals was largely missing experienced a clear improvement in from the debate over dress codes in This publication was prepared by the Clearinghouse with funding from OERI, student conduct from the previous public schools, DeMitchell, Fossey, US. Department of Education, under con- year. At John Adams Mddle School, and Cobb surveyed 240 principals tract no. ED-99-CO-0011. No federal disciphe referrals fell from 1,565 who were randomly selected from a funds were used in the printing. during the first semester of the previ- national &rectory and equally ous year to 405. At Truman, referrals grouped in elementary schools, mid- -/ -/ Clearinghouse on Educational dropped from 1,139 to 850. dle/junior hgh schools, and high Management, 5207 University of Oregon, Students, teachers, and parents stat- schools. Nearly two-hrds responded Eugene, Oregon 97403-5207. Phone ed in interviews that “uniforms place and some sent copies of their dress- 800-438-8841. all students on an equal level,” Elder code policies for the researchers to Web site: http://eric.uoregon.edu writes. “Students who may be imme- analyze.

c RESEARCH ROUNDUP 3 2 The principals expressed strong wear gang-related or sexually To help students afford uniforms, support for dress codes, with 85 per- provocative clothing, say the authors. the school solicited donations and a cent reporting that dress codes were local store offered uniform clothing needed at their schools. Most at a steep discount. “The school also expressed the belief that dress codes Daugherty, Richard. “School purchased washers and dryers, so stu- “improve student behavior, reduce Uniforms: Can Voluntary dents could do their own , peer sexual harassment, prepare stu- Programs Work? Experimenting and received a grant to transport stu- dents for the work world, and are in an At-Risk School.” In 2007: A dents staying late for homework or worth the trouble that it takes to Legal Odyssey. Papers of the 47th laundry duties,” Daugherty writes. enforce.” Education Law Association When the program began, the The researchers note that princi- Conference, Albuquerque, New “majority of students and about 70 pals’ opinions varied somewhat with Mexico, November 15-17, 2001. percent of the faculty and staff wore their schools’ grade levels and loca- Dayton, Ohio: Education Law uniforms, but as the school year tions. While high school principals ended, participation by students had Association. EA 031 503. Available expressed greatest support for dress dropped to about 50 percent,” he codes, but took a dim view of school from: Education Law Association, reports. Although the voluntary pro- uniforms, middle school principals 300 College Park-0528, Dayton, gram achieved some of its goals, the indicated the strongest support for OH 45469. $1.30 plus $1 .OO ship- principal recommended that the mandatory school uniforms. ping and handling. 937-229-3589. school board adopt a policy of “Principals in rural areas showed mandatory uniforms. greater support for dress codes than About 60 percent of schools that 1 I principals in suburban and urban adopt uniform policies make them Dowling-Sendor, Benjamin. schools. Yet the reverse was true for mandatory, says Daugherty. The mandatory uniforms. Urban princi- other 40 percent opt for voluntary “School Uniforms Redlux.” pals showed greater support for uni- wearing of uniforms. While school American School Board Journal forms, followed by suburban and boards or school officials usually ini- (March 2002): 38-39, 47. Available then rural principals,” say the tiate mandatory programs, voluntary online at: www.asbj.com. authors. programs often originate with More than half the principals parents. Ths article reviews Lttlt$e/d v, reported that their schools had for- At Traner hhddle School in Reno, Ferny, a recent case in which parents mal dress-code policies that usually Nevada, the parent/teacher organiza- challenged a school uniform policy prohibited halters, low-cut tops, tank tion voted to begin a voluntary adopted by the Forney, Texas, school tops, low-riding pants, wallet chains, school uniform program in board. The policy required students , , and exposed November 2000. The principal to wear polo shts, oxford shirts, or . Codes also often received the board’s permission to in any of four specified solid prohibited clothing with advertise- proceed, but the “school &strict did colors, with blue or khaki pants, ments or depictions of drugs, alco- not officially endorse or fund the , skirts, or jumpers. , hol, and tobacco products, or pilot program,” Daugherty reports. leather, suede, vinyl, and spandex displays of offensive messages. Some Parents, principal, and staff looked were off-limits, as were baggy clothes codes contain requirements that hair to uniforms as one of several strate- and specific types of . be clean and well-groomed, and that gies, including a peer-mediation pro- The parents, who had requested clothes be clean, neat, and properly gram and a family-focus center, to exemptions for their chtldren and fastened. improve safety and enhance academic been denied, filed against the dis- Although the principals clearly and social goals. The school, in a trict. They contended the district’s favored dress codes, they acknowl- community with high levels of pover- policy violated “the right of parents edged having some doubts about the ty and crime, faced a number of to control the upbringing and educa- constitutionality of restrictions on obstacles: low academic achevement, tion of their own children.” The student dress. In response to this low attendance rates, and hgh plaintiffs also argued that the policy concern, the authors explain at length transiency. interfered with students’ freedom of that the nation’s courts have repeat- Students participated in the volun- expression and forced them to edly given school authorities wide lat- tary program by selecting their uni- express ideas with which they might itude to enforce dress codes that form clothmg: tops in red or whte dlsagree. In addtion, they asserted preserve order in schools. A princi- (the school colors) and khaki-colored that the procedures for opting out of pal’s interest in enforcing dress regu- pants, sktrts, or shorts. Fridays were the policy violated their religous lations that “teach community values designated as “casual days,” when freedom by allowing school officials and promote school &scipline” takes students could dress (appropriately) to assess the sincerity of people’s reli- precedence over a student’s right to as they chose. gous beliefs.

3 SUMMER 2002 4 The federal district court summari- stantial interest of the board. increasing attendance, decreasing ly dlsmissed the suit without a trial. 3. The adoption of the policy must dropout rates, and reducing socioeco- The plaintiffs then appealed to the not be an attempt to censor stu- nomic tensions among students.” 5th Circuit Court, where the rdng of dent expression. The parents’ argument that the the lower court was upheld. In its 4. The policy’s “incidental” restric- opt-out procedure violated religious decision, the 5th Circuit Court indi- tions on student expression freedom because it gave school offi- cated that students’ free-speech right must not be greater than neces- cials the authority to judge the sincer- to select their own clothes is “not sary to promote the board’s ity and content of families’ religious absolute,” and that ttus right must be interest. beliefs was also rejected by the court. balanced against a school board’s The court’s decision noted that the stated interests in adopting a dress In this case, the 5th Circuit found policy did not have a religious goal; code or uniform policy. that all four criteria were satisfied and did not have the effect of advancing To decide whether a specific uni- that the district’s school uniform pol- or hmdering any particular faith over form or policy is permissi- icy therefore dld not violate students’ any other; and did not excessively ble under the Constitution’s right to free expression. “entangle” school officials in reli- free-speech clause, the court used a The court also ruled that parents’ gious beliefs. four-pronged test it had previously rights to control their children’s To successfully survive a court applied in another school uniform upbringmg, including their education, challenge to a uniform or dress-code case, Canah t! Bossier Parish School cannot override school rules that are policy, Dowling-Sendor suggests, Board. considered “reasonable” to maintain schools should invite input from par- To be looked upon favorably by an appropriate educational environ- ents and students, research the expe- the court: ment. In this case, the court conclud- riences of other districts, clearly ed that the uniform policy was identify the goals they hope to 1. The school board must have the “rationally related” to the interests of achieve, and provide a “concise, writ- power to make such a policy. the school board in “promoting edu- ten public statement” on the 2. The policy must promote a sub- cation, improving student safety, process. 0

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